Shuswap Houseboat in May
 

I'm looking for anyone who has experienced houseboating on Shuswap Lake. I already have an RCI vaction booked and only found one Fodor's posting from 2001 (which was scathing!).

I'm driving from Denver through Washington State to the lake. I will make the return trip through Banff and home via Montana. We have 2 weeks.

We did three houseboat vacations on the Shuswap Lake when our kids were younger, and we enjoyed them.

Our younger son has carried on the tradition by returning to the Shuswap Lake with university friends.

Our vacations were in July and August. We found August to be better than July, because the lake had had more time to warm up, and was more comfortable for swimming.

Every time we went, we had at least one cool rainy day. We were glad we had packed jogging suits, just in case. They enabled us to keep warm. We also brought board games and things of that nature to keep the kids occupied during inclement weather.

Every time we went, we experienced one night time storm, when the wind whipped up waves. We took extra precautions to tie our boat very securely to the shore, but it still felt as if it was being tossed around like a cork.

Every time we went, we were fortunate enough to have a good deal of warm, sunny weather as well.

Each of our houseboat vacations lasted a week.

What I like about houseboating on the Shuswap Lake is that it's like camping, but with more creature comforts. You're surrounded by wilderness forests, but you have a little fridge, a stove, a barbecue, a toilet and hot water for showering.

May is very early in the season, though. You could still encounter a blizzard on the way from Revelstoke to Banff. Depending on when in May you travel, Lake Louise may or may not be thawed. Moraine Lake still will be frozen.

My Dad lives in Shuswap and I am on my way out there next week to celebrate his 85th birthday. Until 2 years ago he ran a houseboat out of the marina. I concur with the natural beauty, the fun and the good times available. I will also add there is much to see in nearby Salmon Arm and environs.

Though the risk of snow will be past by May, it is not really boating weather. You would find it very cold at nights. Most marinas in the area do not put the boats of locals in the water until the 24th of May weekend and, even then, it is the rare overnight trip taken before mid-June to early July.

Having said that, I hope you will check out the area as it if spectacular!

Thank you for your responses. While I'm a bit concerned about the weather, I'm hoping for peace and quiet so I'm guessing I'll find that being the only one on the water!

I'm wondering why my timeshare would even offer this vacation if it is truely too early in the season?

It seems like Sicamous is a year-round town. Will I be bale to find services like stores and groceries open, or is this a gine-for-the-season kind of place?

Thanks.

You'll certainly be able to find what you need in Sicamous at any time of the year. For groceries, the best place to shop is Askews supermarket. and the liquor store is just down the street. The best place to eat in town is Moose Mulligan's pub, which is right on the channel (between Shuswap and Mara Lakes).

Houseboating should be OK, but I don't think you'll want to swim in the lake in
May, at least not in the early part of the month.

We went last September and it was the shoulder months. Prime is July and August but I wouldn't want to be on the water during prime. One item that surprised us in September were the incredible number of houseboats docked in the marina and storage areas. I simply can't imagine being on the lake with that many boats. The lake system is huge but the beaching areas are finite. You'd end up having be beach way too close to others. For us, beaching on a small secluded beach of our own was exactly what we wanted. If your idea of a relaxing houseboat experience is like camper in a camp-ground with people all around you, then the prime months make sense. Otherwise September (or May) when the locals wonder why you are on the lake makes the most sense.

We had a few stormy nights but if you beach properly and anchor right, there's no problems.

Pricewise, May and September are the best deals - especially via RCI. We were there last September and are booked for this May. You might not enjoy swimming in the lake but everything else is there: hot days, BBQs, etc.

may should be nice weather..not so sure about jumping in the lake till at least late may..my experience on the shuswap..was a great time and we went late sept..encountered one of the worst squalls ever on the lake..makes for great memories.. dress for all weather